In a video message, Vice Chancellor Habeck strongly condemned anti-Semitism in Germany and called for a “tough political response”. This not only affects Islamists and right-wing extremists, but also “parts of the political left.”
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has spoken out urgently against hatred of Jews and anti-Semitism in Germany. “The Jewish communities warn their members to avoid certain places for their own safety – and that today here in Germany, almost 80 years after the Holocaust,” criticized the Vice Chancellor in a video that his ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening. published. The video message had already had four million views by morning.
In it, Habeck defended Israel’s security as a “reason of state” and sharply criticized anti-Semitic tendencies among Muslims, right-wing extremists and left-wing activists. Anti-Semitism “should not be tolerated in any form.” The scale of the Islamist demonstrations in Berlin and other German cities is “unacceptable and needs a tough political response,” he said.
Appeal to Muslims in Germany
A response to anti-Semitism is also needed from the Muslim associations in Germany. Some clearly distanced themselves from Hamas’ actions. “But not all of them, and some are too hesitant,” criticized Habeck. The Muslims in Germany must ensure that they do not undermine their own claim to tolerance. “There is no place for religious intolerance in Germany.”
Burning Israeli flags is a criminal offense, as is praising Hamas’ actions. “Anyone who is German will have to answer for this in court; anyone who is not German will also risk their residence status. Anyone who does not yet have a residence permit provides a reason to be deported.”
Anti-Semitism also from other political groups
Habeck went on to say that Islamist anti-Semitism should not obscure the fact that there is also entrenched anti-Semitism in Germany. “I am also concerned about anti-Semitism in parts of the political left, and unfortunately also among young activists.” Anti-colonialism should not lead to anti-Semitism. The death and suffering that is coming to the people in the Gaza Strip is terrible. But “systematic violence against Jews cannot be legitimized.”
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made a similar statement on Wednesday: Anti-Semitism runs through all social groups and nationalities, she said on ZDF. “That’s why all forms of anti-Semitism, whether it comes from the right, from the left, from immigrants or from people born here, must be combated.”
Positive reactions to Habeck’s video
Habeck’s video message received a positive response not only within his own ranks. CDU politicians also praised the appeal. He hits the right note “like no other in this federal government,” wrote CDU vice-chairwoman Karin Prien on X. “A strong, necessary appearance.”
Former CDU leader Armin Laschet wrote, alluding to Germany’s abstention in the vote on the UN Gaza resolution: That doesn’t sound like abstention, but rather is the “necessary, argumentatively strong and well-founded domestic and foreign policy stance of Germany.” This must be heard and supported across all party lines.
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, said that he had not seen such a clear and balanced statement “that also expressly mentions the legitimate concerns of the Palestinians” in this form in recent weeks. Schuster further praised the “clear commitment to German reasons of state” and the “showing the consequences for those who do not want to accept it.” He hopes that it will be translated linguistically so that “some people who live here in Germany and have a different migration background can understand this video.”